News

Wanindu, Dimuth heroics take Sri Lanka to super six in World Cup qualifiers

Published

3 years ago

June 26, 2023

Editor

Sri Lanka booked their slot in the Super Six stage of the Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament after a dominant 133-run win over Ireland in their third game on Sunday.

The win sealed Sri Lanka’s spot in the super six stage. Scotland and Oman also advanced to the super six stage after finishing second and third respectively in Group B.

Earlier put into bat first Sri Lanka were in some sort of trouble when they were at 48-2 at the end of the powerplay.

Sri Lanka desperately needing a big partnership saw Dimuth Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama deliver when the duo mounted a rescue with a solid third-wicket partnership worth 168 to tilt the game back in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne made a run-a-ball 103 and Sadeera Samarawickrama hit 82 as Sri Lanka compiled an imposing total of 325 all out off 49.5 overs.

Charith Asalanka (38) and Dhananjaya de Silva (42 not out) also chipped in as Ireland sought to limit the damage in the closing overs.

Dimuth notched up his maiden century after 12 years since he debuted.

In reply, Ireland could only manage 192 as Wanindu Hasaranga scalped another five-wicket haul. Besides that, Maheesh Theekshana also took 2/29. This was his third consecutive five-wicket haul in ODIs. With this, Hasaranga equals the world record for most consecutive five-fors in ODIs with Pakistan’s Waqar Younis.

In the post-match presentation, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka lauded the boy’s effort especially Dimuth Karunaratne who went on to say opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne is the perfect player to lead their batting order.

“Everything is going in the right direction. We could have performed better with the bat towards the end. Perhaps the aggressive batting from myself and Wanindu didn’t yield the desired results in the latter part of the game,” said Shanaka.

He went on to say that Karunaratne is the perfect player to lead the team from the top of the batting order. Karunaratne scored 103 runs off as many balls, hitting eight boundaries in his innings against Ireland.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s batter Dimuth Karunaratne who brought up his maiden ODI century was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his knock of 103, which contributed to a comprehensive win for Sri Lanka by 133 runs.
In the post-match conference, Karunaratne said he wants to make it big when he gets the start.

“Not at all (On whether the chance for ODI hundred had passed him), wanted to continue for the team. That’s what I do. If I get a start, I want to go for the big one. (On the pitch) In the morning, there is something for the bowlers, but when the swing stops we can get some boundaries. I was waiting for that, the first hour was about giving the bowlers respect. I try to apply the same technique, that is what has helped me score heavily in Test cricket. Don’t try to hit them hard, just time them well,” Karunaratne said.

Sri Lanka are all set to face Scotland in their next World Cup Qualifier match on June 27 at Bulawayo.

Sri Lanka: 325 all out in 49.5 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 103, Sadeera Samarawickrama 82; Mark Adair 4/46, Barry McCarthy 3/56) vs Ireland: 192 all out in 31 overs (Curtis Campher 39, Harry Tector 33; Wanindu Hasaranga 5/79; Maheesh Theekshana 2-29)

Cricket

Wanindu Hasaranga Faces Inquiry After Missing Mandatory Fitness Test

Published

15 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka’s premier leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is under scrutiny after failing to attend a scheduled fitness test, raising fresh concerns over compliance with national selection standards.

Sources within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that selectors have formally escalated the matter to the High Performance Center, overseen by Jerome Jayaratne, along with senior board officials. The incident has drawn attention due to SLC’s increasingly strict enforcement of fitness protocols.

Hasaranga, who missed Sri Lanka’s campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year with a hamstring injury, is believed to have fully recovered. Despite this, he has yet to complete the mandatory fitness assessment required for national selection and overseas participation.

Under SLC’s revised policy, centrally contracted players must meet defined fitness benchmarks before receiving clearance to compete in franchise tournaments such as the Indian Premier League.

The situation is particularly significant given Hasaranga’s recent signing by the Lucknow Super Giants during the mini-auction for his base price of INR 2 crore.

Thushara Ruled Out, Pathirana Awaiting Clearance

In a related development, Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of the upcoming IPL season after failing to meet fitness requirements.

Thushara reportedly did not pass his initial fitness test and was granted a second opportunity, which he also missed. As a result, SLC declined to issue him the required NOC, effectively ending his participation hopes.

Despite being injury-free and available to bowl, Thushara is understood to have fallen short of the board’s prescribed fitness standards. He had been signed by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for approximately INR 1.6 crore and was expected to bolster their pace attack.

Meanwhile, young pacer Matheesha Pathirana remains in contention but is yet to complete his fitness test. Officials indicate he is likely to join his IPL franchise once he clears the required assessments. Pathirana had previously been sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
IPL 2026 Underway

The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League officially commenced on March 28 and is scheduled to run through the end of May, with franchises finalizing their squads amid strict fitness and regulatory oversight from national boards.

Football

Late heartbreak ends Sri Lanka’s semi-final hopes

Published

2 days ago

March 28, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka’s journey at the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 came to a dramatic and painful end after a last-gasp goal handed Bhutan a 1-0 victory in their decisive group-stage clash in Malé, Maldives.

With a place in the semi-finals on the line, the match carried high stakes for both sides. Sri Lanka entered the contest knowing only a positive result would keep their campaign alive, and they responded with a disciplined and energetic performance. The young Sri Lankan side showed composure in defense while attempting to build attacking momentum against a well-organized Bhutan team.

Chances, however, were at a premium. Sri Lanka managed to create a few half-opportunities but were unable to convert, as the Bhutanese defense held firm. As the match wore on, tension grew, with both teams aware that a draw would not be enough to secure progression.
Just as it seemed the game would end in stalemate, Bhutan struck a decisive blow in stoppage time. Forward Dhendup Gyeltshen capitalized on a momentary lapse in the Sri Lankan defense to score in the 90+2 minute, silencing hopes of a late turnaround and sealing all three points for his side.

Cricket

Sri Lanka U19 Women’s Team Set for Australia Tour 2026 Tri-Nation Series

Published

3 days ago

March 27, 2026

Editor

The Sri Lanka Under-19 Women’s Cricket Team is set to tour Australia in April 2026 for an exciting tri-nation series that will also feature England. This tour represents an important opportunity for the young Sri Lankan players to gain international exposure and compete against strong opposition in both limited-overs formats. The team is scheduled to depart on 3rd April 2026 and will play a total of six matches during the tour, including two 50-over games and four T20 matches.

The series will begin on 7th April 2026 with a 50-over match against England at Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane, starting at 9:30 AM. Sri Lanka will then face Australia in another 50-over encounter on 8th April 2026 at the same venue and time. The action will shift to the Gold Coast for the T20 leg of the tour, where Sri Lanka will meet England on 12th April 2026 at Bill Pippen Oval at 9:00 AM, followed by a match against Australia on 13th April 2026 at the same ground and time. The final phase of the tour returns to Brisbane, with Sri Lanka playing England on 17th April 2026 and Australia on 18th April 2026 in two early morning T20 matches at Ian Healy Oval, both starting at 5:30 AM.

Match Schedule
•⁠ ⁠7th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (50-over)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 09:30 AM
•⁠ ⁠8th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (50-over)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 09:30 AM
•⁠ ⁠12th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (T20)
Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast – 09:00 AM
•⁠ ⁠13th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (T20)
Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast – 09:00 AM
•⁠ ⁠17th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs England (T20)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 05:30 AM
•⁠ ⁠18th April 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Australia (T20)
Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane – 05:30 AM